Christianity, Part 7

There are 3 more occurrences of πάντας in Luke’s Gospel [see Table], the Greek word translated all people in: And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people (πάντας, a form of πᾶς) to myself.1 First, I’ll continue to consider the implications of the occurrence in Luke 13:22-30.

When I remember that every natural person is opposed to my entrance through the narrow door into the kingdom of God, I’m less concerned about the aggressiveness of ἀγωνίζεσθε : Strive (ἀγωνίζεσθε, a form of ἀγωνίζομαι) to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door2 To enter through the narrow door requires some backbone or, more likely, the insistent drawing of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 10:7-10 ESV):

So Jesus again said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door (θύρα) of the sheep. All who came before me3 are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door (θύρα). If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

In the clause Strive to enter through the narrow door,4 the Greek word translated through was διὰ. In the clause If anyone enters by me,5 the Greek word translated by (NET: through) was δι᾿. Both are followed by words in the genitive case, so I’ll ignore whatever differences I might perceive between through and by in English. My next concern is: When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door (θύραν, a form of θύρα).6

This is the end of Christianity as I understand it. Presumably, those inside the door still abide in Christ and his words abide in them7 but Christianity has no good news, nothing encouraging, to proclaim to those outside the shut door that is Jesus: Depart (πορεύεσθε, a form of πορεύομαι) from [Jesus], you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels,8 is all it has to say. But that isn’t what Jesus actually said here: Depart (ἀπόστητε, a form of ἀφίστημι) from me, all you workers of evil!9

Two different words were translated depart, and Jesus specified no destination in the latter example.10 Six of the seven occurrences of πορεύεσθε in the New Testament are accompanied by specific instructions regarding destination.11 There are only two occurrences of ἀπόστητε, but the other one has a stand-by-wait-and-see feel to it. I’ll contrast that to a typical example of πορεύεσθε in the table below:

Acts 5:17-20 (ESV)

Acts 5:33-39a (ESV)

But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy they arrested12 the apostles and put them in the public prison. But during the13 night an angel of the Lord opened14 the prison doors and brought them out, and said, “Go (πορεύεσθε, a form of πορεύομαι) and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” When they heard15 this (Acts 5:29-32), they were enraged and wanted to kill them. But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while [Table]. And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. So in the present case I tell you, keep away (ἀπόστητε, a form of ἀφίστημι) from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” [Table]

When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us’16 If I pay more attention to the mind of Christ this is not that bad a place to be when the door is Jesus (Luke 11:5-10 ESV):

And [Jesus] said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence (ἀναίδειαν, a form of ἀναίδεια) he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone (πᾶς) who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

Here is another possible meaning of Jesus’ command to strive (ἀγωνίζεσθε); namely, the impudence (ἀναίδεια), “shamelessness, effrontery” and “persistence” to seek undeserved favor from a holy God. The hardened descendants of Jacob will demonstrate that impudence, “shamelessness, effrontery” and “persistence” according to Jesus’ parable (Luke 13:25b-27 ESV).

[T]hen [the master of the house] will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from’ [Table]. Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil[Table]!

It sounds ominous. But I expect this unexplained parable to resolve something like communion: By the authority of Jesus’ word bread is (ἐστιν) his body and wine is (ἐστιν) his blood when those who believe [d]o this in remembrance of [Him] to proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. This communion of faith is nothing like the cannibal/vampire fest those who abandoned Jesus imagined. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life,17 Jesus said.

In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all (πάντας, a form of πᾶς) the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out.18

Focused on the fear of being cast out (ἐκβαλλομένους ἔξω), I might feel this as a bad thing. But the Lord Jesus has drawn hardened descendants of Jacob to a place where they desire the real kingdom of God rather than the imaginary kingdom they sought for themselves so many centuries earlier. (I assume here that ὄψησθε [a form of ὁράω], translated you see [ESV], is to be taken in its most concrete form [“to see (with the eyes), watch, behold, catch sight of, notice”]; and so, when you see places the resolution of this parable in some as yet future time.) Their weeping and gnashing of teeth is evidence of their desire to enter the real kingdom of God, and a hopeful sign if the door barring their entrance is Jesus: Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted,19 He said.

An actual example of Jesus as a shut door follows (Matthew 15:21-25 ESV):

And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying,20 “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David;21 my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged22 him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt23 before him, saying, “Lord, help me.”

Notice her impudence, shamelessness, effrontery and persistence in the face of Jesus as a door that is shut to her. But also notice that impudence, shamelessness, effrontery and persistence alone is not sufficient to open the door (Matthew 15:26 ESV):

And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”

I want to pause here to contrast Jesus’ words to this Canaanite woman to what Paul wrote about hardened descendants of Jacob, his kinsmen according to the flesh,24 who were not yet knocking at the door, weeping and gnashing [their] teeth, but often imprisoning, beating and seeking to kill him (Romans 9:4, 5 ESV):

They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.

The Canaanite woman didn’t despair at Jesus’ words but grew strong in faith and persisted (Matthew 15:27, 28 ESV):

She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

Jesus perceived her faith by her words. By her words she demonstrated that she understood and agreed with Him.

When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know (οἶδα) where you come from.’25

One of the meanings of οἶδα, the Greek word translated know, is “to be able to recall.” I suppose it will be natural for the hardened descendants of Jacob to assume that the master of the house has forgotten them after so many years.

Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’26

But the master of the house will remember them perfectly:

[H]e will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!27

So, the master of the house will clarify the meaning of οἶδα for them: “I am not learning by observation” where you come from. Jesus said (Matthew 12:35-37 ESV):

The good person out of his good treasure28 brings forth good,29 and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,30 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

He spoke these words under the heading: For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.31 Will the hardened descendants of Jacob grow strong in faith and persist like the Canaanite woman? Will they understand and agree with the master of the house? He even gave them the words to say. Will they demonstrate by those words the new abundance of their changed hearts? “Lord, be merciful to me worker of evil that I am.”32

I’m more sanguine about that outcome since believing Jesus’ saying, And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.33 My Christianity won’t acknowledge that He even said it. But if one has the ears to hear, I think that hope is embedded in the words that conclude this parable (Luke 13:29, 30 ESV):

And people will come from east and west, and from34 north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.

Jesus said something similar to the chief priests and the elders of the people35 in the temple (Matthew 21:31b, 32 ESV):

Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you [Table]. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not36 afterward change your minds and believe him.

The Greek word translated before was προάγουσιν. It is a 3rd person plural form of προάγω in the indicative mood: “to lead forward, lead (someone) out, bring out; to move forward, move onward; to go before, lead the way, precede; to move ahead of; to move on to the next phase (e.g., move troops to the next battle); to induce to do; to happen before, come before.” It is an intriguing way to address those who wanted Jesus dead, his followers scattered and his words forgotten. But I’m thinking even more of that insight which brought so much hope and comfort to Paul (Romans 11:15-23 ESV):

For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? [Table] If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.
But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree [Table], do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but37 the root that supports you. Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in” [Table]. That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud,38 but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither39 will he spare40 you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off [Table]. And even they,41 if they do not continue42 in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again.

And so, a parable about a door that is Jesus shut in the face of hardened descendants of Jacob sounds like an example of Jesus drawing πάντας to Himself when I believe what He said. The next two occurrences of πάντας in Luke’s Gospel follow (Luke 17:24, 26-30 ESV):

For as the lightning flashes43 and lights up the44 sky45 from one side to the other, so will the Son46 of Man be in his day…Just as it was in the days of Noah,47 so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage,48 until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all49 (πάντας, a form of πᾶς). Likewise, just as50 it was in the days of Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all51 (πάντας, a form of πᾶς)—so52 will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed.

Both occurrences of πάντας above are limited by the time and the extent of destruction, flood and fire and sulfur respectively. Here is the final occurrence in Luke’s Gospel (Luke 21:25-36 ESV):

“And there will be53 signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring54 of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I say to you, this generation55 will not pass away56 until all has taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.57

“But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come58 upon all (πάντας, a form of πᾶς) who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But59 stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength60 to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Here πάντας was limited by who dwell on the face of the whole earth at the moment they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.61 But it is limited further still: Whether [see note 60 below] praying that you may have strength (κατισχύσητε a form of κατισχύω) to escape all these things (ESV), or that ye may be accounted worthy (καταξιωθητε a form of καταξιόω) to escape all these things that shall come to pass (KJV), there is a pattern developing: [A]sk, and it will be given to you,62 Jesus promised. For everyone who asks receives63

There is another potential meaning of ἐκφυγεῖν, the Greek word translated to escape above: “to emerge (like a baby out of the womb).”64

Tables comparing the Greek of John 10:7, 8; Acts 5:18, 19; Matthew 15:22, 23; 15:25; 12:35, 36; Luke 17:24; 17:26-30; 13:29; Matthew 21:23; 21:32; Romans 11:18; 11:20, 21; 11:23; Luke 21:25; 21:33 and 21:35, 36 in the NET and KJV follow.

John 10:7, 8 (NET)

John 10:7, 8 (KJV)

So Jesus said again, “I tell you the solemn truth, I am the door for the sheep. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

John 10:7 (NET Parallel Greek)

John 10:7 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

John 10:7 (Byzantine Majority Text)

Εἶπεν οὖν πάλιν |ὁ| Ἰησοῦς· ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν |ὅτι| ἐγώ εἰμι ἡ θύρα τῶν προβάτων. ειπεν ουν παλιν αυτοις ο ιησους αμην αμην λεγω υμιν οτι εγω ειμι η θυρα των προβατων ειπεν ουν παλιν αυτοις ο ιησους αμην αμην λεγω υμιν οτι εγω ειμι η θυρα των προβατων
All who came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

John 10:8 (NET Parallel Greek)

John 10:8 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

John 10:8 (Byzantine Majority Text)

πάντες ὅσοι ἦλθον [πρὸ ἐμοῦ] κλέπται εἰσὶν καὶ λῃσταί, ἀλλ᾿ οὐκ ἤκουσαν αὐτῶν τὰ πρόβατα. παντες οσοι προ εμου ηλθον κλεπται εισιν και λησται αλλ ουκ ηκουσαν αυτων τα προβατα παντες οσοι ηλθον κλεπται εισιν και λησται αλλ ουκ ηκουσαν αυτων τα προβατα

Acts 5:18, 19 (NET)

Acts 5:18, 19 (KJV)

They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public jail. And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

Acts 5:18 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 5:18 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 5:18 (Byzantine Majority Text)

καὶ ἐπέβαλον τὰς χεῖρας ἐπὶ τοὺς ἀποστόλους καὶ ἔθεντο αὐτοὺς ἐν τηρήσει δημοσίᾳ και επεβαλον τας χειρας αυτων επι τους αποστολους και εθεντο αυτους εν τηρησει δημοσια και επεβαλον τας χειρας αυτων επι τους αποστολους και εθεντο αυτους εν τηρησει δημοσια
But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, led them out, and said, But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

Acts 5:19 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 5:19 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 5:19 (Byzantine Majority Text)

Αγγελος δὲ κυρίου διὰ νυκτὸς |ἀνοίξας| τὰς θύρας τῆς φυλακῆς ἐξαγαγών τε αὐτοὺς εἶπεν αγγελος δε κυριου δια της νυκτος ηνοιξεν τας θυρας της φυλακης εξαγαγων τε αυτους ειπεν αγγελος δε κυριου δια της νυκτος ηνοιξεν τας θυρας της φυλακης εξαγαγων τε αυτους ειπεν

Matthew 15:22, 23 (NET)

Matthew 15:22, 23 (KJV)

A Canaanite woman from that area came and cried out, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is horribly demon-possessed!” And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

Matthew 15:22 (NET Parallel Greek)

Matthew 15:22 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Matthew 15:22 (Byzantine Majority Text)

καὶ ἰδοὺ γυνὴ Χαναναία ἀπὸ τῶν ὁρίων ἐκείνων ἐξελθοῦσα ἔκραζεν λέγουσα· ἐλέησον με, κύριε υἱὸς Δαυίδ· ἡ θυγάτηρ μου κακῶς δαιμονίζεται και ιδου γυνη χαναναια απο των οριων εκεινων εξελθουσα εκραυγασεν αυτω λεγουσα ελεησον με κυριε υιε δαβιδ η θυγατηρ μου κακως δαιμονιζεται και ιδου γυνη χαναναια απο των οριων εκεινων εξελθουσα εκραυγασεν αυτω λεγουσα ελεησον με κυριε υιε δαυιδ η θυγατηρ μου κακως δαιμονιζεται
But he did not answer her a word. Then his disciples came and begged him, “Send her away because she keeps on crying out after us.” But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

Matthew 15:23 (NET Parallel Greek)

Matthew 15:23 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Matthew 15:23 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ὁ δὲ οὐκ ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῇ λόγον. καὶ προσελθόντες οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἠρώτουν αὐτὸν λέγοντες· ἀπόλυσον αὐτήν, ὅτι κράζει ὄπισθεν ἡμῶν ο δε ουκ απεκριθη αυτη λογον και προσελθοντες οι μαθηται αυτου ηρωτων αυτον λεγοντες απολυσον αυτην οτι κραζει οπισθεν ημων ο δε ουκ απεκριθη αυτη λογον και προσελθοντες οι μαθηται αυτου ηρωτων αυτον λεγοντες απολυσον αυτην οτι κραζει οπισθεν ημων

Matthew 15:25 (NET)

Matthew 15:25 (KJV)

But she came and bowed down before him and said, “Lord, help me!” Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.

Matthew 15:25 (NET Parallel Greek)

Matthew 15:25 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Matthew 15:25 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ἡ δὲ ἐλθοῦσα προσεκύνει αὐτῷ λέγουσα· κύριε, βοήθει μοι η δε ελθουσα προσεκυνει αυτω λεγουσα κυριε βοηθει μοι η δε ελθουσα προσεκυνησεν αυτω λεγουσα κυριε βοηθει μοι

Matthew 12:35, 36 (NET)

Matthew 12:35, 36 (KJV)

The good person brings good things out of his good treasury, and the evil person brings evil things out of his evil treasury. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

Matthew 12:35 (NET Parallel Greek)

Matthew 12:35 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Matthew 12:35 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος ἐκ τοῦ ἀγαθοῦ θησαυροῦ ἐκβάλλει ἀγαθά, καὶ ὁ πονηρὸς ἄνθρωπος ἐκ τοῦ πονηροῦ θησαυροῦ ἐκβάλλει πονηρά ο αγαθος ανθρωπος εκ του αγαθου θησαυρου της καρδιας εκβαλλει τα αγαθα και ο πονηρος ανθρωπος εκ του πονηρου θησαυρου εκβαλλει πονηρα ο αγαθος ανθρωπος εκ του αγαθου θησαυρου εκβαλλει αγαθα και ο πονηρος ανθρωπος εκ του πονηρου θησαυρου εκβαλλει πονηρα
I tell you that on the day of judgment, people will give an account for every worthless word they speak. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

Matthew 12:36 (NET Parallel Greek)

Matthew 12:36 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Matthew 12:36 (Byzantine Majority Text)

λέγω δὲ ὑμῖν ὅτι πᾶν ρῆμα ἀργὸν ὃ λαλήσουσιν οἱ ἄνθρωποι ἀποδώσουσιν περὶ αὐτοῦ λόγον ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κρίσεως λεγω δε υμιν οτι παν ρημα αργον ο εαν λαλησωσιν οι ανθρωποι αποδωσουσιν περι αυτου λογον εν ημερα κρισεως λεγω δε υμιν οτι παν ρημα αργον ο εαν λαλησωσιν οι ανθρωποι αποδωσουσιν περι αυτου λογον εν ημερα κρισεως

Luke 17:24 (NET)

Luke 17:24 (KJV)

For just like the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.

Luke 17:24 (NET Parallel Greek)

Luke 17:24 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Luke 17:24 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ὥσπερ γὰρ ἡ ἀστραπὴ ἀστράπτουσα ἐκ τῆς ὑπὸ τὸν οὐρανὸν εἰς τὴν ὑπ᾿ οὐρανὸν λάμπει, οὕτως ἔσται ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου [ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ αὐτοῦ] ωσπερ γαρ η αστραπη η αστραπτουσα εκ της υπ ουρανον εις την υπ ουρανον λαμπει ουτως εσται και ο υιος του ανθρωπου εν τη ημερα αυτου ωσπερ γαρ η αστραπη η αστραπτουσα εκ της υπ ουρανον εις την υπ ουρανον λαμπει ουτως εσται ο υιος του ανθρωπου εν τη ημερα αυτου

Luke 17:26-30 (NET)

Luke 17:26-30 (KJV)

Just as it was in the days of Noah, so too it will be in the days of the Son of Man. And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

Luke 17:26 (NET Parallel Greek)

Luke 17:26 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Luke 17:26 (Byzantine Majority Text)

καὶ καθὼς ἐγένετο ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις Νῶε, οὕτως ἔσται καὶ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου και καθως εγενετο εν ταις ημεραις του νωε ουτως εσται και εν ταις ημεραις του υιου του ανθρωπου και καθως εγενετο εν ταις ημεραις νωε ουτως εσται και εν ταις ημεραις του υιου του ανθρωπου
People were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage—right up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

Luke 17:27 (NET Parallel Greek)

Luke 17:27 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Luke 17:27 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ἤσθιον, ἔπινον, ἐγάμουν, ἐγαμίζοντο, ἄχρι ἧς ἡμέρας εἰσῆλθεν Νῶε εἰς τὴν κιβωτὸν καὶ ἦλθεν ὁ κατακλυσμὸς καὶ ἀπώλεσεν πάντας ησθιον επινον εγαμουν εξεγαμιζοντο αχρι ης ημερας εισηλθεν νωε εις την κιβωτον και ηλθεν ο κατακλυσμος και απωλεσεν απαντας ησθιον επινον εγαμουν εξεγαμιζοντο αχρι ης ημερας εισηλθεν νωε εις την κιβωτον και ηλθεν ο κατακλυσμος και απωλεσεν απαντας
Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot, people were eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building; Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;

Luke 17:28 (NET Parallel Greek)

Luke 17:28 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Luke 17:28 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ὁμοίως καθὼς ἐγένετο ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις Λώτ· ἤσθιον, ἔπινον, ἠγόραζον, ἐπώλουν, ἐφύτευον, ᾠκοδόμουν ομοιως και ως εγενετο εν ταις ημεραις λωτ ησθιον επινον ηγοραζον επωλουν εφυτευον ωκοδομουν ομοιως και ως εγενετο εν ταις ημεραις λωτ ησθιον επινον ηγοραζον επωλουν εφυτευον ωκοδομουν
but on the day Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.

Luke 17:29 (NET Parallel Greek)

Luke 17:29 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Luke 17:29 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ᾗ δὲ ἡμέρᾳ ἐξῆλθεν Λὼτ ἀπὸ Σοδόμων, ἔβρεξεν πῦρ καὶ θεῖον ἀπ᾿ οὐρανοῦ καὶ ἀπώλεσεν πάντας η δε ημερα εξηλθεν λωτ απο σοδομων εβρεξεν πυρ και θειον απ ουρανου και απωλεσεν απαντας η δε ημερα εξηλθεν λωτ απο σοδομων εβρεξεν πυρ και θειον απ ουρανου και απωλεσεν απαντας
It will be the same on the day the Son of Man is revealed. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

Luke 17:30 (NET Parallel Greek)

Luke 17:30 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Luke 17:30 (Byzantine Majority Text)

κατὰ τὰ αὐτὰ ἔσται ᾗ ἡμέρᾳ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἀποκαλύπτεται κατα ταυτα εσται η ημερα ο υιος του ανθρωπου αποκαλυπτεται κατα ταυτα εσται η ημερα ο υιος του ανθρωπου αποκαλυπτεται

Luke 13:29 (NET)

Luke 13:29 (KJV)

Then people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and take their places at the banquet table in the kingdom of God. And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.

Luke 13:29 (NET Parallel Greek)

Luke 13:29 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Luke 13:29 (Byzantine Majority Text)

καὶ ἥξουσιν ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν καὶ δυσμῶν καὶ ἀπὸ βορρᾶ καὶ νότου καὶ ἀνακλιθήσονται ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τοῦ θεοῦ και ηξουσιν απο ανατολων και δυσμων και απο βορρα και νοτου και ανακλιθησονται εν τη βασιλεια του θεου και ηξουσιν απο ανατολων και δυσμων και βορρα και νοτου και ανακλιθησονται εν τη βασιλεια του θεου

Matthew 21:23 (NET)

Matthew 21:23 (KJV)

Now after Jesus entered the temple courts, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

Matthew 21:23 (NET Parallel Greek)

Matthew 21:23 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Matthew 21:23 (Byzantine Majority Text)

Καὶ ἐλθόντος αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸ ἱερὸν προσῆλθον αὐτῷ διδάσκοντι οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι τοῦ λαοῦ λέγοντες· ἐν ποίᾳ ἐξουσίᾳ ταῦτα ποιεῖς; καὶ τίς σοι ἔδωκεν τὴν ἐξουσίαν ταύτην και ελθοντι αυτω εις το ιερον προσηλθον αυτω διδασκοντι οι αρχιερεις και οι πρεσβυτεροι του λαου λεγοντες εν ποια εξουσια ταυτα ποιεις και τις σοι εδωκεν την εξουσιαν ταυτην και ελθοντι αυτω εις το ιερον προσηλθον αυτω διδασκοντι οι αρχιερεις και οι πρεσβυτεροι του λαου λεγοντες εν ποια εξουσια ταυτα ποιεις και τις σοι εδωκεν την εξουσιαν ταυτην

Matthew 21:32 (NET)

Matthew 21:32 (KJV)

For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him. But the tax collectors and prostitutes did believe. Although you saw this, you did not later change your minds and believe him. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

Matthew 21:32 (NET Parallel Greek)

Matthew 21:32 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Matthew 21:32 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ἦλθεν γὰρ Ἰωάννης πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἐν ὁδῷ δικαιοσύνης, καὶ οὐκ ἐπιστεύσατε αὐτῷ, οἱ δὲ τελῶναι καὶ αἱ πόρναι ἐπίστευσαν αὐτῷ· ὑμεῖς δὲ ἰδόντες οὐδὲ μετεμελήθητε ὕστερον τοῦ πιστεῦσαι αὐτῷ ηλθεν γαρ προς υμας ιωαννης εν οδω δικαιοσυνης και ουκ επιστευσατε αυτω οι δε τελωναι και αι πορναι επιστευσαν αυτω υμεις δε ιδοντες ου μετεμεληθητε υστερον του πιστευσαι αυτω ηλθεν γαρ προς υμας ιωαννης εν οδω δικαιοσυνης και ουκ επιστευσατε αυτω οι δε τελωναι και αι πορναι επιστευσαν αυτω υμεις δε ιδοντες ου μετεμεληθητε υστερον του πιστευσαι αυτω

Romans 11:18 (NET)

Romans 11:18 (KJV)

do not boast over the branches. But if you boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

Romans 11:18 (NET Parallel Greek)

Romans 11:18 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Romans 11:18 (Byzantine Majority Text)

μὴ κατακαυχῶ τῶν κλάδων· εἰ δὲ κατακαυχᾶσαι οὐ σὺ τὴν ρίζαν βαστάζεις ἀλλὰ ἡ ρίζα σέ μη κατακαυχω των κλαδων ει δε κατακαυχασαι ου συ την ριζαν βασταζεις αλλ η ριζα σε μη κατακαυχω των κλαδων ει δε κατακαυχασαι ου συ την ριζαν βασταζεις αλλ η ριζα σε

Romans 11:20, 21 (NET)

Romans 11:20, 21 (KJV)

Granted! They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but fear! Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

Romans 11:20 (NET Parallel Greek)

Romans 11:20 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Romans 11:20 (Byzantine Majority Text)

καλῶς· τῇ ἀπιστίᾳ ἐξεκλάσθησαν, σὺ δὲ τῇ πίστει ἕστηκας. μὴ ὑψηλὰ φρόνει ἀλλὰ φοβοῦ καλως τη απιστια εξεκλασθησαν συ δε τη πιστει εστηκας μη υψηλοφρονει αλλα φοβου καλως τη απιστια εξεκλασθησαν συ δε τη πιστει εστηκας μη υψηλοφρονει αλλα φοβου
For if God did not spare the natural branches, perhaps he will not spare you. For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

Romans 11:21 (NET Parallel Greek)

Romans 11:21 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Romans 11:21 (Byzantine Majority Text)

εἰ γὰρ ὁ θεὸς τῶν κατὰ φύσιν κλάδων οὐκ ἐφείσατο, [μή πως] οὐδὲ σοῦ φείσεται ει γαρ ο θεος των κατα φυσιν κλαδων ουκ εφεισατο μηπως ουδε σου φεισηται ει γαρ ο θεος των κατα φυσιν κλαδων ουκ εφεισατο μηπως ουδε σου φεισεται

Romans 11:23 (NET)

Romans 11:23 (KJV)

And even they—if they do not continue in their unbelief—will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.

Romans 11:23 (NET Parallel Greek)

Romans 11:23 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Romans 11:23 (Byzantine Majority Text)

κακεῖνοι δέ, ἐὰν μὴ ἐπιμένωσιν τῇ ἀπιστίᾳ, ἐγκεντρισθήσονται· δυνατὸς γάρ ἐστιν ὁ θεὸς πάλιν ἐγκεντρίσαι αὐτούς και εκεινοι δε εαν μη επιμεινωσιν τη απιστια εγκεντρισθησονται δυνατος γαρ εστιν ο θεος παλιν εγκεντρισαι αυτους και εκεινοι δε εαν μη επιμεινωσιν τη απιστια εγκεντρισθησονται δυνατος γαρ ο θεος εστιν παλιν εγκεντρισαι αυτους

Luke 21:25 (NET)

Luke 21:25 (KJV)

“And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth nations will be in distress, anxious over the roaring of the sea and the surging waves. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

Luke 21:25 (NET Parallel Greek)

Luke 21:25 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Luke 21:25 (Byzantine Majority Text)

Καὶ ἔσονται σημεῖα ἐν ἡλίῳ καὶ σελήνῃ καὶ ἄστροις, καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς συνοχὴ ἐθνῶν ἐν ἀπορίᾳ ἤχους θαλάσσης καὶ σάλου και εσται σημεια εν ηλιω και σεληνη και αστροις και επι της γης συνοχη εθνων εν απορια ηχουσης θαλασσης και σαλου και εσται σημεια εν ηλιω και σεληνη και αστροις και επι της γης συνοχη εθνων εν απορια ηχουσης θαλασσης και σαλου

Luke 21:33 (NET)

Luke 21:33 (KJV)

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Luke 21:33 (NET Parallel Greek)

Luke 21:33 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Luke 21:33 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ὁ οὐρανὸς καὶ ἡ γῆ παρελεύσονται, οἱ δὲ λόγοι μου οὐ μὴ παρελεύσονται ο ουρανος και η γη παρελευσονται οι δε λογοι μου ου μη παρελθωσιν ο ουρανος και η γη παρελευσονται οι δε λογοι μου ου μη παρελθωσιν

Luke 21:35, 36 (NET)

Luke 21:35, 36 (KJV)

For it will overtake all who live on the face of the whole earth. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

Luke 21:35 (NET Parallel Greek)

Luke 21:35 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Luke 21:35 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ὡς παγίς· ἐπεισελεύσεται γὰρ ἐπὶ πάντας τοὺς καθημένους ἐπὶ πρόσωπον πάσης τῆς γῆς ως παγις γαρ επελευσεται επι παντας τους καθημενους επι προσωπον πασης της γης ως παγις γαρ επελευσεται επι παντας τους καθημενους επι προσωπον πασης της γης
But stay alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that must happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Luke 21:36 (NET Parallel Greek)

Luke 21:36 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Luke 21:36 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ἀγρυπνεῖτε δὲ ἐν παντὶ καιρῷ δεόμενοι ἵνα κατισχύσητε ἐκφυγεῖν ταῦτα πάντα τὰ μέλλοντα γίνεσθαι καὶ σταθῆναι ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου αγρυπνειτε ουν εν παντι καιρω δεομενοι ινα καταξιωθητε εκφυγειν ταυτα παντα τα μελλοντα γινεσθαι και σταθηναι εμπροσθεν του υιου του ανθρωπου αγρυπνειτε ουν εν παντι καιρω δεομενοι ινα καταξιωθητε εκφυγειν παντα τα μελλοντα γινεσθαι και σταθηναι εμπροσθεν του υιου του ανθρωπου

1 John 12:32 (ESV)

2 Luke 13:24, 25a (ESV) Table

4 Luke 13:24a (ESV) Table

5 John 10:9b (ESV)

6 Luke 13:25a (ESV) Table

8 Matthew 25:41b (ESV)

9 Luke 13:27b (ESV) Table

10 I should revisit the Christians of Matthew 7:21-23. There was a third word ἀποχωρεῖτε translated depart. And there, too, no destination was specified. Perhaps I cursed them prematurely “as the distilled sin condemned in the flesh of Christians standing on Jesus’ left.” Could He be offering the hope for repentance even On that day?

11 In the seventh (Acts 16:36), go in peace, the implied destination is wherever Paul and Silas wanted to go, and only the manner of their going was stated precisely. Paul and Silas did not comply exactly with the jailer’s request (Acts 16:37-40).

12 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had αυτων (KJV: their) following hands. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

13 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the article της here. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

16 Luke 13:25a (ESV) Table

17 John 6:63c (ESV) Table

18 Luke 13:28 (ESV)

19 Matthew 5:4 (ESV)

20 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἔκραζεν here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εκραυγασεν αυτω (KJV: and cried unto him).

22 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἠρώτουν here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ηρωτων (KJV: and besought).

24 Romans 9:3b (ESV) Table

25 Luke 13:25 (ESV) Table

26 Luke 13:26 (ESV)

27 Luke 13:27 (ESV) Table

28 The Stephanus Textus Receptus had της καρδιας (KJV: of the heart) following treasury (KJV: treasure). The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

29 The Stephanus Textus Receptus had the article τα preceding good things. The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

31 Matthew 12:34 (ESV)

33 John 12:32 (ESV)

34 The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Stephanus Textus Receptus had ἀπὸ preceding north (KJV: the north). The Byzantine Majority Text did not.

35 Matthew 21:23a (ESV)

39 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had μή πως here in brackets, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had μηπως (KJV: lestalso). The ESV translators seem to have ignored μή πως or μηπως entirely.

40 It seems important to point out that Paul used φείσεται here, a singular form of φείδομαι in the future tense and indicative mood. I take the singular to mean that Paul addressed Gentile believers as a collective rather than as individuals.

43 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the article η (KJV: that) preceding flashes (KJV: lighteneth). The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

44 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had the article τὸν here. The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

45 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had τῆς ὑπὸ preceding the sky (KJV: heaven), where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had της υπ (KJV: under).

46 The Stephanus Textus Receptus had και (KJV: also) preceding the Son. The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

47 The Stephanus Textus Receptus had the article του preceding Noah (KJV: Noe). The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

48 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἐγαμίζοντο here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εξεγαμιζοντο (KJV: they were given in marriage).

50 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had καθὼς here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had και ως (KJV: also as).

53 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had the plural verb ἔσονται here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the singular verb εσται (KJV: there shall be).

54 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had a plural masculine/neuter noun ἤχους here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had a singular participle ηχουσης of the verb ἠχέω.

55 I understand this generation ( γενεὰ αὕτη) as the generation Jesus spoke about, though it is understandable if those who heard Him thought He meant their generation. Another option is that γενεὰ should be understood as the human race, though I’m not sure why that was necessary to state. Of course, I’m not facing the traumatic events described here yet either.

57 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had παρελεύσονται here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had παρελθωσιν (KJV: shallpass away). This, too, is the “Subjunctive of Emphatic Negation” in Greek: οὐ μὴ παρελεύσονται is the future tense in the indicative mood; οὐ μὴ παρελθωσιν is the aorist tense in the subjunctive mood.

59 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had δὲ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ουν (KJV: therefore).

60 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had κατισχύσητε (a form of κατισχύω) here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had καταξιωθητε (a form of καταξιόω; KJV: ye may be accounted worthy).

61 Luke 21:27b (ESV)

62 Luke 11:9b (ESV)

63 Luke 11:10a (ESV)

64 This is from the definition of ἐκφεύγω in the Koine Greek Lexicon online.

Paul’s Religious Mind Revisited, Part 1

I want to compare and contrast Paul’s teaching in his letter to the Corinthians to Jesus’ letter To the angel of the church in Thyatira[1] under the rubrics: “Paul’s Regime” and “Jesus’ Regime.”

Paul’s Regime

Jesus’ Regime

It is actually reported that sexual immorality (πορνεία) exists among you (ὑμῖν; plural), the kind of immorality (πορνεία) that is not permitted even among the Gentiles, so that someone is cohabiting with (ἔχειν, a form of ἔχω) his father’s wife.

1 Corinthians 5:1 (NET)

But I have (ἔχω) this against you (σοῦ, a form of σύ; singular): You tolerate (ἀφεῖς, a form of ἀφίημι) that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and by her teaching deceives my servants to commit sexual immorality (πορνεῦσαι, a form of πορνεύω) and to eat food sacrificed to idols (εἰδωλόθυτα, a form of εἰδωλόθυτον).

Revelation 2:20 (NET)

I have given her time to repent, but she is not willing to repent of her sexual immorality (πορνείας, a form of πορνεία).

Revelation 2:21 (NET)

Experiencing these as two distinct regimes is new for me.  As long as I assumed that Jesus’ spoke to the second person plural the two passages seemed virtually identical.  And without doubt I love and respect Paul.  He led me to Jesus, helped me to see Him in a different light.  Apart from Paul’s writing in the New Testament I may never have learned to trust Jesus.  I’ve tried to imagine that the man Paul wrote about had kidnapped his father’s wife, kept her against her will, raped her repeatedly and refused to release her.  But that’s as much, or more, to ask of ἔχειν than the idea that he was pimping her for cultic purposes.

The man who had his father’s wife compares to Jezebel, who by her teaching deceives [Jesus’] servants to commit sexual immorality, as a man who walks into a congregation with a loaded gun compares to an active shooter.  Jesus gave Jezebel time to repent.  Paul didn’t say anything about time to repent, though I’m hard-pressed to determine what form the man’s repentance might have taken.

When I believed that πορνεία meant pre-marital sex[2] repentance seemed fairly straightforward: The man should dump the woman, go to college, get a high-paying job, return home, settle down and marry a nice girl—one who wouldn’t cohabit with her husband’s son.  That changed as I began to take the law (Exodus 22:16, 17, Deuteronomy 22:28-30) more seriously,[3] as a way to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom [He] sent.[4]  Of course, the woman in this case was or had been married to the man’s father.  By law both should have been condemned to death (Leviticus 20:10, 11).

Paul’s Regime

Jesus’ Regime

And you (ὑμεῖς, a form of ὑμείς) are proud (πεφυσιωμένοι, a form of φυσιόω)!  Shouldn’t you have been deeply sorrowful instead and removed (ἀρθῇ, a form of αἴρω) the one who did this from among you (ὑμῶν)?

1 Corinthians 5:2 (NET) Table

Look!  I am throwing her onto a bed of violent illness, and those who commit adultery (μοιχεύοντας, a form of μοιχεύω) with her into terrible suffering, unless they repent of her deeds.

Revelation 2:22 (NET)

Paul addressed everyone (ὑμεῖς is second person plural) in the church at Corinth except the man who had his father’s wife, accusing them of being proud.  Of the seven occurrences of forms of φυσιόω in the New Testament, six are found in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians.  (It is at least his second letter.)  Pride or arrogance was a consistent theme in his mind as he wrote.

Paul claimed I became your father (ἐγέννησα, a form of γεννάω) in Christ Jesus through the gospel.[5]  Actually he wrote, For though you may have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers (πατέρας, a form of πατήρ) ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ διὰ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου ἐγὼ ὑμᾶς ἐγέννησα (literally, “for in Christ Jesus through the Gospel I gave birth to [KJV: have begotten] you”).  The NET translators shaded the arrogance of that statement a bit.  But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher and you are all brothers, Jesus taught his disciples.  And call no one your ‘father’ (πατέρα, another form of πατήρ) on earth, for you have one Father (πατὴρ, another form of πατήρ), who is in heaven.  Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one teacher, the Christ.[6]

The grandiose claim that the Corinthian believers were born of Paul (John 1:13 NIV ἐγεννήθησαν is another form of γεννάω) was out of character with Paul’s own teaching earlier in the same letter (1 Corinthians 3:6, 7 NET):

I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused it to grow.  So neither the one who plants counts for anything, nor the one who waters, but God who causes the growth.

I have applied these things to myself and Apollos, Paul wrote, because of you, brothers and sisters, so that through us you may learn “not to go beyond what is written,” so that none of you will be puffed up (φυσιοῦσθε, another form of φυσιόω) in favor of the one against the other.  For who concedes you any superiority?  What do you have that you did not receive?  And if you received it, why do you boast (καυχᾶσαι, a form of καυχάομαι) as though you did not?[7]  Of course, then he wrote (1 Corinthians 4:18-20 NET):

Some have become arrogant (ἐφυσιώθησαν, another form of φυσιόω), as if I were not coming to you.  But I will come to you soon, if the Lord is willing, and I will find out not only the talk of these arrogant (πεφυσιωμένων, another form of φυσιόω) people, but also their power.  For the kingdom of God is demonstrated not in idle talk but with power.

Though God’s power (δυνάμει, a form of δύναμις) would clearly be the truth of his final declaration, in context it doesn’t seem to be the power Paul had in mind.  What do you want? he continued as if the following choice would be made by the Corinthians rather than by Paul himself.  Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline (ράβδῳ, a form of ῥάβδος) or with love (ἀγάπῃ) and a spirit of gentleness (πραΰτητος, a form of πραΰτης)?[8]  (While I assume that Paul’s threat to return to Corinth to beat the arrogant with a stick was bluster, it is heartwarming to find such punishment distinguished from love in the New Testament.)  In the very same letter Paul wrote (1 Corinthians 8:1b-3 NET):

Knowledge puffs up (φυσιοῖ, another form of φυσιόω), but love (ἀγάπη) builds up.  If someone thinks he knows something, he does not yet know to the degree that he needs to know.  But if someone loves (ἀγαπᾷ, a form of ἀγαπάω) God, he is known (ἔγνωσται, a form of γινώσκω) by God.

And (1 Corinthians 13:4-13 NET):

Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious.  Love does not brag, it is not puffed up (φυσιοῦται, another form of φυσιόω).  It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful.  It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth.  It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never ends.  But if there are prophecies, they will be set aside; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be set aside.  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part, but when what is perfect comes, the partial will be set aside.  When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.  But when I became an adult, I set aside childish ways.  For now we see in a mirror indirectly, but then we will see face to face.  Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known.  And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love.  But the greatest of these is love.

Paul formed his conclusion that the Corinthians were proud (πεφυσιωμένοι, a form of φυσιόω), not by direct observation and interaction with them but, by hearsay[9] and by the fact that they had not removed the one who did this from among [them].  Paul had asked rhetorically, Shouldn’t you have been deeply sorrowful instead and removed the one who did this from among you?  The Greek word translated deeply sorrowful is ἐπενθήσατε (a form of πενθέω).

I am afraid, Paul wrote, that when I come again, my God may humiliate me before you, and I will grieve (πενθήσω, another form of πενθέω) for many of those who previously sinned and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality (πορνείᾳ), and licentiousness that they have practiced.[10]  Truly, love is not glad about injustice;[11] it does not rejoice in iniquity.[12]  Grieve, mourn (πενθήσατε, another form of πενθέω), and weep, James wrote.  Turn your laughter into mourning (πένθος) and your joy into despair.  Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you.[13]  But I can’t help wondering if this mourning wasn’t more cultural than divinely inspired.

Granted, Jesus said: Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn (πενθήσετε, another form of πενθέω) and weep;[14] and, The wedding guests cannot mourn (πενθεῖν, another form of πενθέω) while the bridegroom is with them, can they?[15]  He also said, Blessed are those who mourn (πενθοῦντες, another form of πενθέω), for they will be comforted.[16]  But I still remember the contrast between Ezra and Malachi:

Ezra

Malachi

While Ezra was praying and confessing, weeping and throwing himself to the ground before the temple of God, a very large crowd of Israelites – men, women, and children alike – gathered around him.  The people wept loudly [Table].  Then Shecaniah son of Jehiel, from the descendants of Elam, addressed Ezra: “We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the local peoples.  Nonetheless, there is still hope for Israel in this regard [Table].  Therefore let us enact a covenant with our God to send away all these women and their offspring, in keeping with your counsel, my lord, and that of those who respect the commandments of our God.  And let it be done according to the law [Table].”

Ezra 10:1-3 (NET)

You also do this: You cover the altar of the Lord with tears as you weep and groan, because he no longer pays any attention to the offering nor accepts it favorably from you [Table].  Yet you ask, “Why?”  The Lord is testifying against you on behalf of the wife you married when you were young, to whom you have become unfaithful even though she is your companion and wife by law [Table].  No one who has even a small portion of the Spirit in him does this.  What did our ancestor do when seeking a child from God?  Be attentive, then, to your own spirit, for one should not be disloyal to the wife he took in his youth [Table].  “I hate divorce,” says the Lord God of Israel, “and the one who is guilty of violence,” says the Lord who rules over all.  “Pay attention to your conscience, and do not be unfaithful” [Table].

Malachi 2:13-16 (NET)

As Jesus’ disciples mourned his death (or perhaps their own loss) they didn’t believe his comfort when it came to them in the form of a woman: Early on the first day of the week, after he arose, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had driven out seven demons.  She went out and told those who were with him, while they were mourning (πενθοῦσι, another form of πενθέω) and weeping.  And when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.[17]  So to the first part of Paul’s rhetorical question I can only give a qualified yes.

The Greek word translated removed in the second part of Paul’s rhetorical question was ἀρθῇ (a form of αἴρω).  “Take this man away (αἶρε, another form of αἴρω)!  Release Barabbas for us![18] an angry mob before Pilate rejected Jesus.  “Away (αἶρε, another form of αἴρω) with him!”[19] a mob in Jerusalem rejected Paul.  A crowd listening patiently to Paul’s defense turned ugly when he said that the Lord said to him, Go, because I will send you far away to the Gentiles.[20]  Then they raised their voices and shouted, “Away (αἶρε, another form of αἴρω) with this man from the earth!  For he should not be allowed to live!”[21]

Here again I can’t help wondering if Paul’s reaction wasn’t more cultural than divinely inspired.  But calling it cultural isn’t entirely accurate.  Paul’s reaction was precisely correct for a time under law when yehôvâh was present among his people in a way unknown since the garden of Eden, before He gave his life as an atonement for sin.  Consider Achan (Joshua 7) as a case in point.

Exile for the man who had his father’s wife (and the woman along with him, presumably) would be considered more merciful than death, but Jesus’ parable persuades me to reject the second part of Paul’s rhetorical question—Shouldn’t you have…removed the one who did this from among you?  When Jesus’ slaves asked if they should uproot the weeds planted by the enemy He said, No, since in gathering the weeds you may uproot the wheat with them.  Let both grow together until the harvest.[22]  This is not to say that I know whether the man who had his father’s wife was a weed planted by the enemy or a sinning saint.  It is to say, if this is Jesus’ attitude toward uprooting weeds planted by the enemy I dare not risk uprooting a sinning saint.

Let’s say for the sake of argument that I’m reading too much into Jesus’ parable.  Let’s say that I’m wrong about the angel of the church in Thyatira, that he was a human being rather than a higher order being.  Let’s grant, for the sake of argument, that Paul as an apostle had the authority and God-given wisdom to recognize a weed and uproot it.  Did he have the authority to turn the church of Jesus Christ in Corinth (and any who hear him today) from the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control of the Holy Spirit, and transform them into a paranoid police force?  Rather than knowing no law against loving our neighbor as well as our enemies, does every infraction of any law call us to dam up the fruit of the Holy Spirit?  Must we judge one another constantly lest we be proud for loving one another excessively?  I admit I sat silently through a sermon declaring that, Do not judge so that you will not be judged,[23] meant that we should judge and be judged.[24]

Hear Jesus’ regime by contrast: Look!  I am throwing her onto a bed of violent illness.  That is Jezebel, the one who by her teaching deceives my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.[25]  Secondly, He is throwing those who commit adultery with her into terrible suffering, unless they repent of her deeds.  But there is not one word to the rest of the church in Thyatira about being proud because they had not removed Jezebel and her followers from their midst.  The criticismBut I have this against you—was laid directly on the angel of the church in Thyatira, whether human or a higher order being. Yes, the letter to the angel of the church in Thyatira was to be read by all the churches, but its content was directed with surgical precision.

To be fair the only reason I have the audacity to make this kind of critique of Paul’s writing in 1 Corinthians 5 is Paul’s extended treatise on love in his later writing to believers in Rome.  Therefore we must not pass judgment (κρίνωμεν, a form of κρίνω) on one another, but rather determine (κρίνατε, another form of κρίνω) never to place an obstacle or a trap before a brother or sister.[26]  Actually, Paul described love this way: Μηκέτι οὖν ἀλλήλους κρίνωμεν[27] (literally, “no longer then one another judge”).

[1] Revelation 2:18a (NET)

[2] An article by Bromleigh McCleneghan, “Sex and the single Christian: Why celibacy isn’t the only option,” was interesting bait for an unsuspecting moralist.  Obviously single people can have sex.  That’s how they become married people in God’s sight.  The rest is ceremony, celebration and government paperwork.  If anyone actually believed that religious leaders knew magical rites that could transmogrify illicit sex into holy matrimony those religious leaders would be compelled by law to perform those rites equally for all in a pluralistic society.  The only thing single people cannot do is fool God into thinking they are not guilty of adultery if they have sex with somebody different tomorrow night, simply because they have not signed government paperwork or had a ceremony or celebrated.

[3] Condemnation or Judgment? – Part 12, Ezra and Divorce

[4] John 17:3b (NET)

[5] 1 Corinthians 4:15b (NET)

[6] Matthew 23:8-10 (NET)

[7] 1 Corinthians 4:6, 7 (NET)

[8] 1 Corinthians 4:21 (NET)

[9] My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. (1 Corinthians 1:11 NIV)

[10] 2 Corinthians 12:21 (NET)

[11] 1 Corinthians 13:6a (NET)

[12] 1 Corinthians 13:6a (NKJV)

[13] James 4:9, 10 (NET)

[14] Luke 6:25b (NET)

[15] Mathew 9:15a (NET)

[16] Matthew 5:4 (NET)

[17] Mark 16:9-11 (NET)

[18] Luke 23:18b (NET)

[19] Acts 21:36b (NET)

[20] Acts 22:21b (NET)

[21] Acts 22:22b (NET)

[22] Matthew 13:29, 30a (NET)

[23] Matthew 7:1 (NET)

[24] This point of view is surprisingly common.   I found the following paraphrase online: “If you don’t want your life to be scrutinized, then don’t judge others.  If you can stand the scrutiny then go ahead.”  I will freely admit to needing as much grace as possible.  There are other voices online.

[25] Revelation 2:20b (NET)

[26] Romans 14:13 (NET)

[27] Romans 14:13a